FROM DAYS GONE BY

20 Years Ago

From The Files Of June 27, 1991

’91

Lyle Mellott of McConnellsburg Motor and Implement announced this week that the McConnellsburg business, as well as Juniata Equipment Company, Everett, will cease doing business as farm equipment and appliance dealers as of July 1, 1991. The two business, incorporated as The Juniata Trading Company, were owned by 10 area farmers and managed by Lyle Mellott. Mellott blamed the faltering economy, product liability insurance costs and high accounts receivable for forcing the businesses to close their doors. McConnellsburg Motor and Implement will continue in the farm equipment parts and is expanding into used parts at its location on Route 30 in McConnellsburg.

Opera star Cristoforo Padula of the McConnellsburg area will perform, along with students, several patriotic selections to help honor area veterans as part of the Fourth of July festivities being planned in McConnellsburg. A parade will be held next Thursday to kick off activities.

Downtown McConnellsburg now boasts an ice cream parlor complete with an old-fashioned soda fountain. Third Street Junction opened for business last Friday and with the warm temperatures, business has been booming, according to the shop’s proprietor, Janice Wolfe.

Local and state officials broke ground last Wednesday for a new welcome center at the rest area off westbound I- 70 near Warfordsburg in Fulton County. The building will provide a variety of tourism services and is one of 11 PennDOT centers now in operation.

Charles and Mabel DeShong recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 25.

Vonda Snyder and Frederick Pollock Jr. exchanged wedding vows on April 13 at Pleasant Ridge Church of the Brethren in Needmore. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Donald Snyder of Needmore and Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pollock of Bucyrus, Ohio.

Karen Leese and Christopher Palmer were united in marriage May 18 at Pleasant Ridge Church of the Brethren. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Leese of Needmore.The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Palmer of Warfordsburg.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Rosario Randazzo of McConnellsburg on June 18; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Cain of Warfordsburg on June 16; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Brady of Big Cove Tannery on June 16.

A surprise birthday party was held May 5 in honor of Loretta Golden’s 80th birthday.

Deaths: Louise Vaughn, Fort Littleton; Elwood Stotler, Great Cacapon.

30 Years Ago

From The Files Of June 25, 1981

’81

Harold “Haddie” Fix, project inspector for the borough’s East Maple and Holman Drive street construction, reported that the project is now 90 percent completed. General cleanup and bank seeding are scheduled for after August 1. Although the new street is presently only open to local traffic, stop signs were installed Monday at the intersection of East Maple and Fourth Street at Black’s Radiator Shop.

Extensive smoke damage was done to a Needmore home Sunday night when a broken waterline caused an electrical fire. Needmore firemen report that the broken line in the basement to the home of Harry Garland, Needmore, sprayed water over the electrical box, causing the wires to short and a fire to break out.

Accident victims Mrs. Linda Shaw and son Byron are listed in serious condition but showing improvement, Mrs. Shaw in Washington County Hospital and Byron in the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where they remain patients. Following hip surgery, Mr. Shaw was discharged from Chambersburg Hospital last week. The Shaw family all were injured in an auto accident on Route 30 near St. Thomas.

Fulton and surrounding counties in the area were warned by the U.S. Weather Bureau to watch out for tornadoes on Monday up until 3 p.m. The weather was breezy and showery but no tornadoes were reported in the area.

It’s not too often that a man lives to be 90, but there are a few of these rare birds around. One of these is Rankin J. Mellott, who was surprised on Sunday, June 7, with a huge birthday celebration at the American Legion in Mc- Connellsburg.

Ten 4-H members who were judged winners of county 4-H demonstration and public speaking contests will move on to higher levels of competition on July 16 when they present their topics at the regional contests at Mifflintown. Those participating in the Regional 4-H Demonstration Day contests from Fulton County will be: Deborah Horton of McConnellsburg; Clem Malot of Hustontown; Peggy Seburn of Big Cove Tannery; Linda Seburn of Big Cove Tannery; Mary Oberholzer of Mercersburg; Ruth Lane of Hustontown; Brenda Younker of Hancock; Michele Rasp of McConnellsburg; Debbie Mellott of McConnellsburg; and Virginia Palmer of Warfordsburg.

The annual parade sponsored by the McConnellsburg Volunteer Fire Co. will be held Thursday starting from the American Legion home on North First Street.

Fulton County is the only county in the commonwealth not offering its residents the benefits of a public library system.

Thirty student nurses in the Franklin County Area Vocational Technical School Practical Nursing Program received their caps last Wednesday night in exercises at the Chambersburg Senior High School. Included in the class were the following from Fulton County: Patricia Howells Corman of Hustontown; Barbara Jay Fletcher of Warfordsburg; Sandra L. Kling Knepper of McConnellsburg; Trudy Goes Mellott of McConnellsburg; and Calla Ruth Ritchey of McConnellsburg.

Barbara Black, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Black of Waterfall, was named to the spring semester dean’s list at Slippery Rock College. Barbara is a freshman student, majoring in physical education and health.

Accidents in Fulton County were at a minimum over the holiday weekend, with state police reporting only two investigations between 6 p.m. on July 2 and midnight on July 5.

Susan Martz of Hustontown reports she has more than 3 million food coupons, which will provide the fifth renal dialysis machine to another hospital that can handle the kidney machine. Susan and her family have been invited by the officials of Hershey Hospital for a tour of the hospital July 24. Hershey Hospital has use for the kidney machine and can handle it.

Mr. and Mrs. Varian Hoover of Hustontown spent a week in Canada on a fishing trip.

Robert Lowry, new owner of the Chevy-Olds dealership in McConnellsburg, has purchased the George Sim home on North First Street and will be moving his family here from New York state in the near future. Hubert Hershberger, former owner, has purchased a home in Waynesboro and will take up residence there next month.

Births at the Medical Center: a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Blankley of Hancock on June 27; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Eutzy of Mercersburg on June 27; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elliott of Big Cove Tannery on June 30; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Mills of Warfordsburg on July 1.

The United Methodist Church of Burnt Cabins was the setting for a wedding Saturday, June 26, at which Miss Karen Louise Park of Burnt Cabins and Gerald Eugene Wright Jr. of Wells Tannery were united in marriage. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Park of Burnt Cabins, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wright of Wells Tannery.

50 Years Ago

From The Files Of July 13, 1961

’61

Last week, The First National Bank of Mc-

Connellsburg purchased the property adjacent to the bank, commonly known as the Stevens building. Bank officials said the purchase was made in view of possible expansion of The First National.

Occupants of two cars were treated at the Medical Center and released after an accident on Rt. 30 at Eagle’s Eyrie. Police say Thomas Hamil, Mercersburg, failed to negotiate a right turn and struck a car driven by Elizabeth Ellen Bivens head on.

The returns received thus far from the recently adopted wage tax in the borough amount to only $60, according to Elwood Mellott, McConnellsburg tax administrator. The estimated amount due is approximately $3,500 for the April-June quarter.

Specialist Harold J. Peck, McConnellsburg, was recently promoted to specialist fifth class in the 21st U.S. Army Corps at the Indian Gap Military Reservation.

A marriage license was issued at the courthouse to Theodore Leab, Fort Loudon, and Edna Eleanor Sith, Artemas.

Members and friends of the Asbury Methodist Church and Church School of Harrisonville will break ground for an educational unit on Sunday.

No one was injured when a car driven by David Gerhold, Mercersburg, collided with a truck operated by Sheridan H. Mellott on the Fort Loudon bypass of the Lincoln Highway on Friday. Damage to Gerhold’s car was set at $600 and $900 to the Mellott truck.

Nancy Jane Fix, McConnellsburg, has been accepted at Lock Haven State College. She plans to major in physical education.

Mrs. James Shultz is a patient in the Medical Center where she underwent leg surgery on Saturday. She fell outside her home Thursday, breaking both leg bones near the ankle.

The IGA supermarket is now under the management of Ray Koontz.

A surprise party was given on July 2 in honor of James O. Mellott of Harrisonville, who recently celebrated his 82nd birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gordon of Hancock announce the marriage of their daughter, Carolyn, to Frank Hollenshead of Needmore.

Deaths: Mrs. Elizabeth M. Metzler, 60, of Johnstown, died on Thursday, June 29. She was born in Hustontown. Carla M. Garland, 94, died Monday, July 3, at the Decker Nursing Home. She was born at Pleasant Ridge and taught school in Fulton County. Cora Ellen Eversole, 75, of Hancock, died Friday, July 6. She had been a midwife in Hancock for the past 40 years.

Sadie Anna Mellott, McConnellsburg, became the bride of Carl Hamman, Hancock, on May 12.

Helen Doris Souders, McConnellsburg, was married to Gerald Roger Schetrompf, Hancock, on July 2 at Hancock Methodist Church.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edwards, Harrisonville, on June 27; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John Winter, Warfordsburg, on June 27; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Max McQuait of Hustontown on July 1; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pine, Mercersburg, on July 1 and a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hess of McConnellsburg on July 2.

60 Years Ago

From The Files Of July 12, 1951

’51

Miss Helen Linn, a student in training at the Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, is vacationing with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Linn.

Mark Clevenger, who was commander of the American Legion when its new home was built here, was re-elected on Tuesday to head the organization during the coming year. He will succeed H. Lyle Duffey, who was commander for the last two years. At the same meeting, young Bruce Harris Jr. was named official bugler to take part in Legion ceremonies.

Funeral services were held in Buck Valley on June 24 for Albert Schetrompf, who was killed in a Jeep accident in Austria on May 28, 1951.

The administrators of the estate of the late H.B. Mellott presented a petition in court this week, seeking a reduction in bond. Acting favorably on the petition, the court ordered the bond reduced from $600,000 to $200,000.

Births: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Everts of Big Cove Tannery on July 3; a son to Mr. and Mrs. William Doyle of Laidig on July 4; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Bland Deshong of Needmore on July 7; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Lister of Fort Littleton on July 8; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Divens of Knobsville on July 8; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Lake of Needmore on July 10.

Spearheaded by the enthusiasm of George Earley, a director, approximately 35 persons during the past week contributed enough funds for rock wool insulation for the Fulton County Medical Center, as well as electric fans for each room.

A surprise party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Henry on June 22 in honor of the fifth birthday of their daughter, Hope.

Death: Mrs. Lillie Aneline Peck of Warfordsburg.

70 Years Ago

From The Files of July 10, 1941

’41

Deaths: Mrs. Bertha Wilson Sipe of Baltimore; Col.

Harvey C. Carbaugh of Chicago, a native of Fulton

County, born in what is known as the “corner,” a son of the late Jacob and Julia Carbaugh. A West Point graduate and one-time practicing lawyer in New York, Col. Carbaugh was judge advocate of the Philippines from 1902 to1905. His 30-year military career included a citation for gallantry in the Spanish American War when, as captain, he participated in the storming of El Carney. He also was in the capture of San Juan Hill and was decorated with the silver star by President McKinley.

William L. Fischer and LaVata Dodson were wed July 2.

Ross McCeaster and Marian Black were married on July 4.

Auditor Gerald F. Clair Ross reported on Tuesday that 262 businesses in Fulton County had paid $2,105.86 in mercantile taxes for 1941.

Twenty-five were baptized and 34 were received into full membership of the Asbury Methodist Church of Green Hill on Sunday. In addition, on July 1, six were baptized by immersion, viewed by a large audience. Levi Hess was received into full membership by transfer.

Five persons received injuries at Needmore on July 3 when a Ford, operated by Margaret Adelsberger of Needmore, collided with a Ford coupe, operated by J.A. Price of Burnham. Nellie Betyton of Burnham, an occupant of the Price car, sustained a broken left leg. Price received minor injuries. Bernice Adelsberger, 9, Joan Adelsberger, 6, and Ray Adelsberger, 4, received minor lacerations and bruises. Damage was estimated at $75 to the Adelsberger car and $200 to the Price car.

Rev. John R. Sammel was the guest speaker at the Lions Club meeting on Tuesday evening, describing in detail the work accomplished thus far by the newly organized Boy Scouts.

According to a report from the state police, Fulton County has recorded two automobile fatalities during the first five months of this year, the same as last year.

Sgt. Chalmers V. Keebaugh, now stationed at Fort Monmouth, N.J., spent part of last week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers S. Keebaugh of Hustontown.

Mrs. Ira Bechtel of Webster Mills is slowly improving after a long illness.

Boyd Fore Jr., who is employed at the Hercules power plant in Virginia, is recuperating at his home here after a recent operation for appendicitis.

David Lowe of Baltimore was the guest soloist at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning.